Spanish Polychromed Carved Head of Christ as Ecce Homo, early 18th century

POLYCHROME CARVED HEAD OF CHRIST FROM A PASSION FIGURE
Probably Spain, circa late 17th to early 18th century

13 1/8" H x 6 1/2" D x 6 1/2" W

Polychromy, carved wood, gesso, glass eyes, later custom metal stand

A polychrome carved head of Christ, likely once part of a larger devotional Passion figure - perhaps an imagen de vestir, or "dressed statue". These lightweight sculptures were designed to be easily deployed for Holy Week, the exposed elements exquisitely sculpted and polychromed, while the body of the figure was a simple wooden structure designed to act as a mannequin upon which to hang the robes or garments. The head is left unfinished on the back.

The painted trails of blood across the forehead suggests the presence of the Crown of Thorns, now lacking and likely separately applied; the figure likely represents Christ as Ecce Homo or in another episode following the Flagellation. The quietly expressive head is modeled with glass eyes carefully inset into heavy eyelids, staring out with a sorrow and compassion. His eyebrows are carefully worked with a fine brush against only gentle surface texture while the full beard is deeply textured and painted with a part down the center; the subtly parted lips are full of color and well-formed.

The surface retains much of its early polychromy with flesh tones, intricately worked for realism in the skin throughout; there is trace presence of fingerprints in the less visible areas.

Condition: Craquelure throughout to the early polychromed surface. Trace inpaint and overpaint. Losses to paint and gesso throughout, including the nose, the neck on all sides, both eyebrows with substantial gesso and paint loss, as well as the upper right beard. The lower beard has losses exposing the gesso and underlying build of the surface over the wooden substrate.

ref. 606OBX25P